Portable beverage caddy apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a portable beverage caddy apparatus, comprising a bottom cabinet with a holding tray having a plurality of radial slots for receiving a variety of beverage containers and barware. The beverage caddy further comprises a roof extending substantially across a top surface, is connected to the bottom cabinet by a rear wall and a pair of side columns. Further, the roof comprises a plurality of narrow openings for receiving a range of stemmed glassware.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a rack for holding and carrying beverage containers and associated barware and more specifically relates to a portable beverage caddy apparatus for holding glassware, beverage containers and related accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the years, a vast range of rack structures have been developed to facilitate the storage of wine bottles and associated glassware. Similarly, a variety of retention and storage racks exists separately for liquor containers such as whisky bottles, beer containers etc., and for bar accessories such as ice bucket, stirrer, ice tongs, shaker, etc. Whereas each of these rack structures serves to satisfy the specific requirements, conforming to the standard shapes of containers according to the type of beverages, none of the prior art racks or storage units have provided a totally universal arrangement for storing different types of beverage containers, glassware and bar accessories together.

Bottle and glassware holders generally provides a support system for displaying, holding and carrying the barware in a variety of configurations through the use of different types of attachments. The storage and retention racks also facilitates safe portability of beverage containers such as bottles, glassware and accessories, especially during transport from one place to another. The racks allows efficient arrangement and storage of both glassware and beverage containers within a limited area thereby saving a lot of space.

Although a multiplicity of beverage caddy, storage racks, and glassware storage units have been developed, there still exists a continuing need for improved, customizable storage rack allowing retention and safe portability of a variety of barware and related accessories in a single apparatus without occupying much space or causing any breakage to the glassware.

From the prior art, there exists numerous patents relating to storage apparatus for a variety of beverage containers, glassware and related accessories. For example: U.S. Pat. No. 7,984,813 relates to a wine glass and bottle holder system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,849 discloses a combination wine rack and glass retention/dispensing assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 8,567,617 shows a wine glass and bottle holder support system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,566 discloses a portable stemmed glass/container retention rack and serving tray. However, existing storage racks and trays doesn't allow custom storage of both beverage containers, glassware and accessories in a single retention or storage apparatus.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved portable caddy for holding, storage and transport of beverage containers, glassware and associated accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable beverage caddy apparatus, comprising a bottom cabinet consisting a holding tray with a plurality of radial slots for receiving a variety of beverage containers and barware. The apparatus further comprises a roof extending substantially across a top surface forming a canopy, connected to the bottom cabinet by a rear wall and a pair of side columns, the roof further comprises a plurality of narrow openings for receiving different types of stemmed glassware.

In an embodiment, the portable beverage caddy apparatus of the present invention comprises a replaceable holding tray with a plurality of openings for receiving an assortment of beverage containers. The replaceable holding tray allows customization of the apparatus to hold and carry a desired range of beverage containers and associated barware, according to a user's preferences.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portable beverage caddy apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the portable beverage caddy apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the portable beverage caddy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the portable beverage caddy apparatus, according to different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the portable beverage caddy apparatus showing exemplary dimensions according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments presents a description of certain specific embodiments to assist in understanding the claims. However, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

Referring to FIG. 1A-1C, which shows different views of a portable beverage caddy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 comprises a bottom cabinet 150 consisting a holding tray 140 with a plurality of radial slots 142 for receiving a variety of beverage containers and barware. The apparatus further comprises a roof 110 extending substantially across a top surface forming a canopy, the roof 110 is connected to the bottom cabinet 150 by a rear wall 120 and a pair of side columns 132 and 134. The roof 100 further comprises a plurality of narrow openings 112 for receiving different types of stemmed glassware.

The bottom cabinet 150 further comprises a pair of side walls 144 and 146, front wall 148 and a bottom panel (not shown) supporting the holding tray 140. The bottom cabinet 150 forms a substantially enclosed space for receiving and holding a variety of beverage containers and barware accessories. The apparatus 100 further comprises a pair of handles 152, 154 attached to the sidewalls 144, 146 respectively, of the bottom cabinet 150, which enables easy carrying and portability while moving from one place to another.

The holding tray 140 comprises a plurality of radial slots 142 for receiving a variety of beverage containers including but not limited to wine bottle, beer container, whiskey bottle, water container, soda can, liquor container and its combinations. The tray 140 further comprises slots 142 of different sizes and shapes to accommodate barware and associated accessories including but not limited to ice bucket, decanter, shaker, mixer, stirrer, ice tongs, cigarettes and its combinations.

In an embodiment, the portable beverage caddy apparatus of the present invention comprises a replaceable holding tray with a plurality of openings for receiving an assortment of beverage containers and accessory barware. The replaceable holding tray allows customization of the apparatus to hold and carry a desired range of beverage containers and associated barware, according to a user's preferences. For example, a user may replace the holding tray of the apparatus based on needs of an occasion, in order to carry a preferred set of beverage containers and accessories.

The portable beverage caddy apparatus can be manufactured from a material selected from a group consisting plastic, fiber glass, wood, carbon fiber and its combinations. The apparatus can be covered with a water proof fabric, the fabric may also comprise designs which adds to visual aesthetics. In an embodiment, the apparatus may also be trimmed with brass, chrome or plastic which further enhances its aesthetic appearance.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the portable beverage caddy apparatus according to a different embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises a bottom cabinet 150 consisting a holding tray 140 with a plurality of slots 142 to receive containers and barware. The bottom cabinet 150 is connected to a top roof 110 via a pair of side walls 132, 134 and a rear wall 120. The top roof 110 substantially extending across top surface forming a canopy from one side and comprises a plurality of narrow openings for receiving stemmed glassware. The apparatus further comprises a second roof 114 substantially extending across top surface, comprising openings for receiving stemmed glassware and connected to the bottom cabinet 150 via a pair of side walls 136, 138 and a rear wall 122.

The apparatus comprising top roofs extending form either side facilitates holding and carrying of a variety of stemmed glassware. The narrow openings are adapted to receive a stem portion of the glassware and allows upside down hanging of the stemmed glassware such as wine glass, champagne glass, etc. In an embodiment, the roof extends in an inclined angle substantially covering the top portion forming a canopy like structure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the portable beverage caddy apparatus showing exemplary dimensions according to an embodiment of the invention. The bottom cabinet consisting a holding tray 140 with a plurality of radial slots 142. The roof 110 comprising a plurality of narrow openings 112, a rear wall 120 and a pair of side columns 132 and 134. A pair of side walls 144 and 146, front wall 148 and a bottom panel 160 for supporting the holding tray 140. The apparatus further comprises a pair of handles 152, 154 attached to the sidewalls of the bottom cabinet 150.

The present invention has been described with a preferred embodiment thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications to the described embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims. 

1. A portable beverage caddy apparatus, comprising: a bottom cabinet comprising a holding tray with a plurality of slots for receiving an assortment of beverage containers and barware; and a roof extending substantially across a top surface, connected to the bottom cabinet by a rear wall and a pair of side columns, the roof comprising a plurality of narrow openings for receiving a range of stemmed glassware.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom cabinet further comprises a pair of side walls, front wall and a bottom panel, supporting the holding tray.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprises a pair of handles attached to the side walls of the bottom cabinet.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots comprises radial slots adapted to receive beverage containers selected from a group consisting wine bottle, beer bottle, liquor bottle, soda container, water container and its combinations.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots are adapted to receive barware and related accessories selected from a group consisting ice bucket, decanter, shaker, mixer, stirrer, ice tongs, cigarette and its combinations.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holding tray is replaceable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, is covered with a water proof fabric.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, is trimmed with brass or chrome.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, is made from plastic, fiber glass, wood, and carbon fiber.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each side wall comprises an attached handle. 